Sliding member and rolling bearing

Abstract

A sliding member is provided with: a sheet which is a non-woven fabric or woven fabric formed from conductive fibers; a metal ring; the sheet integrally has: a fixed portion fixed on a first side of the metal ring in the radial direction in a state of being in contact with a first member made of a steel material; a sliding part that is in slidable contact with a second member made of a steel material on a second side in the radial direction; and an intermediate portion located between the fixed portion and the sliding portion, the metal ring being disposed at a distance from the sheet on a first side in the axial direction, and the rubber member having a first portion disposed at the distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sliding member and a rolling bearing. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a rolling bearing with an anti-electrolytic corrosion function. The rolling bearing described in Patent Document 1 supports the rotating shaft of an electric motor mounted on an electric vehicle, etc. The rolling bearing comprises an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of balls arranged between the outer and inner rings, and an annular seal (sliding member) that closes the end opening of the bearing's internal space between the outer and inner rings. The seal comprises an elastic member, such as a conductive rubber member. The inner and outer circumferences of the elastic member contact the inner and outer rings, respectively. The elastic member contacts the inner and outer rings, electrically connecting the inner ring to the outer ring through the elastic member. This prevents current from flowing between the inner ring and the balls, and between the outer ring and the balls, thereby suppressing electrolytic corrosion of the inner ring raceway, the outer ring raceway, and the balls.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-102200 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] The elastic member of the seal (sliding member) disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a certain degree of electrical conductivity by mixing carbon fibers into the rubber member. On the other hand, to further suppress electrical corrosion in the raceway, the electrical conductivity of the seal is required to be further improved. Therefore, the present disclosure aims to improve the electrical conductivity of the sliding member.

[0008] Means for solving problems

[0009] (1) The sliding member of the present disclosure includes: The sheet material is a non-woven fabric or woven fabric formed of conductive fibers; Metal rings; and Rubber parts, The sheet material integrally comprises: a fixing portion fixed on a first side in a radial direction of the metal ring in contact with a first member made of a steel material; a sliding portion slidably contacting the second member made of steel on the second side in the radial direction; and The middle portion is located between the fixed portion and the sliding portion, The metal ring is arranged at a distance from the sheet at a first side in the axial direction. The rubber member has a first portion disposed in the gap.

[0010] (2) The rolling bearing disclosed herein comprises: An inner ring having an inner ring raceway; an outer ring having an outer ring raceway disposed radially outward of the inner ring raceway; a plurality of rolling elements rotatably disposed between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway; and The sliding member described in (1) above is arranged between the axial end of the inner ring and the radial end of the axial end of the outer ring, One of the inner ring and the outer ring is the first member, The other of the inner ring and the outer ring is the second member.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] The sliding member disclosed herein comprises a nonwoven or woven sheet made of conductive fibers. This sheet reduces electrical resistance and improves conductivity compared to elastic members made by mixing carbon fibers into rubber. Consequently, the sliding member can electrically connect a first member to a second member via the sheet, allowing current to flow from one member to the other via the sheet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the rolling bearing of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 2 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sliding member.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged sectional view of a radially outer portion of a sliding member.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An enlarged sectional view of the radially inner portion of the sliding member.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a molding die for a sliding member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] <Overview of Embodiments of the Presently Disclosed Invention>

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be briefly described.

[0020] (1) The sliding member of the present disclosure includes: The sheet material is a non-woven fabric or woven fabric formed of conductive fibers; Metal rings; and Rubber parts, The sheet material integrally comprises: a fixing portion fixed on a first side in a radial direction of the metal ring in contact with a first member made of a steel material; a sliding portion slidably contacting the second member made of steel on the second side in the radial direction; and The middle portion is located between the fixed portion and the sliding portion, The metal ring is arranged at a distance from the sheet at a first side in the axial direction. The rubber member has a first portion disposed in the gap.

[0021] With this structure, the sliding member includes a sheet made of conductive fibers, either nonwoven or woven. This sheet reduces electrical resistance and improves conductivity compared to elastic materials made by mixing carbon fibers into rubber. Therefore, the sliding member can electrically connect the first and second members via the sheet, allowing current to flow from one to the other via the sheet.

[0022] (2) Preferably, in the sliding component of (1), the rubber member further comprises: a second portion arranged at a position closer to the first side in the radial direction than the first portion; and a third portion arranged at a position closer to the second side in the radial direction than the first portion, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are bonded to the entire first side in the axial direction of the sheet.

[0023] With this structure, the shape of the entire sheet can be maintained by the rubber member.

[0024] (3) Preferably, in the sliding member of (1) or (2) above, the rubber member has a fourth portion that extends beyond the radial end of the metal ring and is disposed on the first side of the metal ring in the axial direction.

[0025] By such a structure, the rubber member and the metal ring can be firmly combined. In addition, the fourth portion is arranged on the side opposite to the sheet material in the axial direction, so the fourth portion will not damage the sheet material.

[0026] (4) The rolling bearing disclosed herein has: An inner ring having an inner ring raceway; an outer ring having an outer ring raceway disposed radially outward of the inner ring raceway; a plurality of rolling elements rotatably disposed between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway; and The sliding member according to any one of (1) to (3) above is arranged between the axial end of the inner ring and the radial end of the axial end of the outer ring, One of the inner ring and the outer ring is the first member, The other of the inner ring and the outer ring is the second member.

[0027] According to this structure, the outer ring and inner ring of the rolling bearing can be electrically connected using the sheet of the sliding component, and current can flow from one of the outer ring and the inner ring to the other through the sheet, which can suppress electrical corrosion of the outer ring raceway, inner ring raceway and balls.

[0028] (5) Preferably, in the rolling bearing of (4) above, In the axial direction, the sheet of the sliding member is arranged closer to the rolling element than the metal ring and the rubber member.

[0029] With this structure, the sliding portion of the sliding member can easily come into contact with the inner ring or the outer ring.

[0030] <Details of the embodiments of the present invention>

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the presently disclosed invention will be described.

[0032] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the rolling bearing of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 1 The rolling bearing 10 shown supports a rotating shaft S of a motor mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Figure 1 , the rotation axis S is represented by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line).

[0034] The rolling bearing 10 includes an outer ring 11, an inner ring 12, a plurality of rolling elements 13, a retainer 14, and a sliding member 15. In this embodiment, the rolling elements 13 are balls. The rolling bearing 10 is a deep groove ball bearing. The outer ring 11 is mounted on the housing H of the motor. The inner ring 12 is fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft S. Figure 1 In the figure, housing H is represented by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line). In this embodiment, outer ring 11 is a stationary ring, and inner ring 12 is a rotating ring. Outer ring 11 and inner ring 12 are formed from a steel material such as bearing steel. High-carbon chromium bearing steel (for example, SUJ2 or SUJ3 specified in the JIS standard) can be used as bearing steel. However, outer ring 11 and inner ring 12 may also be made of other steel materials, such as carburized bearing steel, carbon steel, chromium steel, or stainless steel.

[0035] The outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 are arranged concentrically. In this embodiment, the center axes of the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 coincide with the center axis C of the rolling bearing 10. In this embodiment, the direction along the center axis C and the direction parallel to the center axis C are defined as "axial direction". Similarly, the direction perpendicular to the center axis C is defined as "radial direction". Similarly, the direction along a circle centered on the center axis C is defined as "circumferential direction". In addition, in this embodiment, Figure 1 The left side of is set as the first axial side, Figure 1 The right side of is set as the second axial side, Figure 1 The upper side of is set as the first radial side, Figure 1 The lower side of is defined as the radial second side. In addition, in this embodiment, the radial first side is the radial outer side, and the radial second side is the radial inner side. Therefore, in the following description, the radial first side is sometimes referred to as the radial inner side, and the radial second side is sometimes referred to as the radial outer side.

[0036] The outer ring 11 includes an outer ring raceway 21, two shoulders 22, and two annular grooves 23. The outer ring raceway 21 is provided on the inner circumference of the outer ring 11. The balls 13 roll on this outer ring raceway 21. The two shoulders 22 are provided on either axial side of the outer ring raceway 21. The two annular grooves 23 are provided between the shoulders 22 and the axial side surfaces of the outer ring 11. The annular grooves 23 have a circumferentially continuous annular groove shape. The sliding members 15 are mounted in the annular grooves 23 located on either axial side of the outer ring 11. However, the sliding members 15 may be mounted only in the annular grooves 23 located on either the first or second axial side of the outer ring 11. In this case, the annular grooves 23 not mounted with the sliding members 15 may be omitted.

[0037] The inner ring 12 includes an inner ring raceway 31, two shoulders 32, and two sliding member contact surfaces 33. The inner ring raceway 31 is provided on the outer circumference of the inner ring 12. The balls 13 roll on the inner ring raceway 31. The two shoulders 32 are provided on either axial side of the inner ring raceway 31. The two sliding member contact surfaces 33 are provided between the shoulders 32 and the side surfaces of the inner ring 12. The sliding member contact surfaces 33 are annularly arranged around the entire circumference of the inner ring 12. The sliding member contact surfaces 33 are groove-shaped in a cross-section that includes the center axis C of the inner ring 12. The radially inner end of the sliding member 15 contacts the sliding member contact surfaces 33.

[0038] Balls 13 are arranged between outer ring 11 and inner ring 12. Balls 13 are in rolling contact with outer ring raceway 21 and inner ring raceway 31. A plurality of balls 13 are held by an annular retainer 14 at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0039] The retainer 14 includes an annular body 16 and a plurality of corners (pillars) 17. The annular body 16 is disposed on the second axial side of the ball 13. The corners (pillars) 17 extend from the annular body 16 toward the first axial side. Pockets 18 are spaces between two circumferentially adjacent corners 17 on the first axial side of the annular body 16. Pockets 18 accommodate the ball 13 and are open on the first axial side.

[0040] The sliding member 15 is annular in shape. It is fixed to the outer ring (first member) 11 and is in sliding contact with the inner ring (second member) 12. Specifically, the sliding member 15 is fixed to the outer ring 11 by fitting its radially outer end (the end on the first radial side) into the annular groove 23 of the outer ring 11. The radially inner end (the end on the second radial side) of the sliding member 15 contacts the sliding member contact surface 33 of the inner ring 12. The sliding member 15 is provided on both axial sides of the rolling bearing 10. Therefore, the annular space between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12, and the bearing internal space K1 where the balls 13 reside, is enclosed on both axial sides by the sliding member 15. The sliding member 15 divides the bearing internal space K1, where the balls 13 reside, from the bearing external space K2, which is located on the first and second axial sides of the rolling bearing 10.

[0041] The sliding member 15 includes a conductive sheet 43 extending between its radially outer and inner ends. At the radially outer end of the sliding member 15, the sheet 43 is exposed and contacts the annular groove 23 of the outer ring 11. At the radially inner end of the sliding member 15, the sheet 43 is exposed and contacts the sliding member contact surface 33 of the inner ring 12. Thus, the sliding member 15 forms a current path that prevents current generated by a motor, etc., from flowing between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 via the rolling elements 13. An oil film composed of lubricating oil or grease forms between the balls 13 and the inner ring raceway 31, and between the balls 13 and the outer ring raceway 21. This oil film has insulating properties. This insulating property insulates the balls 13 from the inner ring raceway 31, and from the outer ring raceway 21. An oil film forms between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31. When a potential difference of less than a specified value is generated between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31, current does not flow between the inner ring raceway 31 and the ball 13. An oil film forms between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21. When a potential difference of less than a specified value is generated between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21, current does not flow between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21. However, if the oil film between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31 is partially destroyed, or if a potential difference exceeding the specified value is generated between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31, current may flow between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31, potentially causing electrolytic corrosion of the ball 13 and / or the inner ring raceway 31. When the oil film between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21 is locally destroyed, or when a potential difference exceeding a specified value occurs between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21, current flows between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21, potentially causing electrolytic corrosion in the ball 13 and / or the outer ring raceway 21. The rolling bearing 10 of this embodiment includes a sliding member 15 that forms a current path. Therefore, before the potential differences between the ball 13 and the inner ring raceway 31 and between the ball 13 and the outer ring raceway 21 increase, the potential difference between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 decreases, causing the current to flow between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 via the sliding member 15. This reduced potential difference between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 suppresses electrolytic corrosion in the ball 13, the inner ring raceway 31, and the outer ring raceway 21.

[0042] [Specific Structure of Sliding Member 15]

[0043] Figure 2 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sliding member. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged sectional view of a radially outer portion of a sliding member. Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An enlarged sectional view of the radially inner portion of the sliding member.

[0044] In the following description, the first side ( Figure 1 The specific structure of the sliding member 15 (left side in the figure) will be described. Therefore, in the description of the sliding member 15, the axial first side can be referred to as the bearing external space K2 side, and the axial second side can be referred to as the bearing internal space K1 side. The sliding member 15 is arranged on the axial second side ( Figure 1 The sliding member 15 on the right side (in FIG. 1 ) is the same component as the sliding member 15 arranged on the first side, but is arranged inverted in the axial direction.

[0045] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the sliding member 15 includes a metal ring 41, a rubber member 42, and a sheet 43. The metal ring 41, the rubber member 42, and the sheet 43 are all annular. The metal ring 41 and the rubber member 42, as well as the rubber member 42 and the sheet 43, are bonded to each other and are integrated as a whole.

[0046] The metal ring 41 is formed from a metal such as galvanized steel sheet or stainless steel. The metal ring 41 is formed by processing a plate. The metal ring 41 includes an annular portion 41a formed in an annular shape and a cylindrical portion 41b formed in a cylindrical shape. The annular portion 41a is arranged perpendicular to the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 41b is arranged parallel to the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 41b is arranged at the radially outer end of the annular portion 41a. The cylindrical portion 41b extends from the radially outer end of the annular portion 41a to the second axial side (the side of the bearing internal space K1). The annular portion 41a and the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41 are formed by plastic processing a plate into a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

[0047] The rubber member 42 is electrically conductive. Specifically, the rubber member 42 is made by, for example, mixing a conductive material with synthetic rubber. The conductive material may be carbon black, metal powder, or the like. The specific structure of the rubber member 42 will be described later, along with the structure of the sheet 43.

[0048] Sheet 43 is made of nonwoven or woven fabric made of conductive fibers. In this embodiment, sheet 43 uses carbon fibers as the conductive fibers. However, conductive fibers made of other materials, such as conductive metals such as copper and nickel, may also be used. The electrical resistance of sheet 43 is lower than that of rubber member 42. Therefore, sheet 43 has a higher electrical conductivity than rubber member 42.

[0049] In this embodiment, the sheet 43 further contains a synthetic resin as a binder. The binder is fixed to the surface of a portion of the conductive fibers contained in the sheet 43. The sheet 43 of this embodiment is a nonwoven fabric or a woven fabric made of conductive fibers fixed with a binder.

[0050] The sheet 43 integrally includes an intermediate portion 44, a fixed portion 45, and a sliding portion 46. The fixed portion 45 is located radially outward (radially on the first side) of the metal ring 41. The sliding portion 46 is located radially inward (radially on the second side) of the metal ring 41. The intermediate portion 44 is located between the fixed portion 45 and the sliding portion 46.

[0051] The middle portion 44 of the sheet 43 has a first portion 44a, a second portion 44b, and a third portion 44c. The first portion 44a extends in the radial direction. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first portion 44 a is arranged at the second side in the axial direction (the bearing internal space K1 side) of the annular portion 41 a of the metal ring 41 at a distance t1 .

[0052] The second portion 44b is bent from the radially outer end portion of the first portion 44a toward the axial second side and extends in the axial direction. Therefore, the second portion 44b is formed into a cylindrical shape. Figure 3 As shown, the second portion 44 b is arranged radially inside the cylindrical portion 41 b of the metal ring 41 at a distance t2 .

[0053] The third portion 44c is bent radially outward from the end portion on the second axial side of the second portion 44b and extends radially. Figure 3 As shown, the third portion 44c is arranged at interval t3 on the second axial side of the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41. Therefore, the intermediate portion 44 of the sheet 43 and the metal ring 41 are arranged at intervals t1, t2, and t3 throughout the entire radial direction.

[0054] The fixing portion 45 of the sheet 43 is formed continuously with the third portion 44c of the intermediate portion 44. Figure 3 As shown, the fixing portion 45 includes a fourth portion 45a and a fifth portion 45b. The fourth portion 45a extends continuously in the radial direction directly from the radially outer end of the third portion 44c of the intermediate portion 44. The fifth portion 45b extends obliquely from the radially outer end of the fourth portion 45a toward the first axial side and radially outward. The front end of the fifth portion 45b forms the radially outer end of the sheet 43. The front end of the fifth portion 45b directly contacts the annular groove 23 of the outer ring 11. In this embodiment, the fourth portion 45a of the fixing portion 45 also directly contacts the annular groove 23. A portion of the third portion 44c of the intermediate portion 44 also directly contacts the annular groove 23.

[0055] like Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the sliding portion 46 of the sheet 43 is formed continuously with the first portion 44a of the intermediate portion 44. In this embodiment, the portion of the sheet 43 located radially inward of the radially inner end of the metal ring 41 serves as the sliding portion 46. The sliding portion 46 extends linearly radially inward directly from the first portion 44a of the intermediate portion 44. Therefore, the first portion 44a of the intermediate portion 44 and the sliding portion 46 form a circular annular shape perpendicular to the axial direction. The radially inner end 46a of the sliding portion 46 directly contacts the sliding member contact surface 33 of the inner ring 12. Contact with the sliding member contact surface 33 causes the radially inner end 46a of the sliding portion 46 to bend toward the first axial side.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the rubber member 42 is bonded to the sheet 43 and the metal ring 41. The rubber member 42 is provided entirely on the first axial side (the bearing external space K2 side) of the sheet 43. The rubber member 42 includes a first portion 42a, a second portion 42b, a third portion 42c, and a fourth portion 42d.

[0057] The first portion 42a of the rubber member 42 is disposed at the intervals t1, t2, and t3 formed between the metal ring 41 and the sheet 43. The first portion 42a of the rubber member 42 maintains the intervals t1, t2, and t3 between the metal ring 41 and the sheet 43 so that the metal ring 41 and the sheet 43 are not directly bonded.

[0058] The second portion 42b of the rubber member 42 is formed continuously radially outward from the first portion 42a. The second portion 42b is located in the area surrounded by the fixed portion 45 of the sheet 43 and the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41. The second portion 42b of the rubber member 42 elastically supports the fifth portion 45b of the sheet 43 from the radially inner side. The cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41 supports the second portion 42b of the rubber member 42 from the radially inner side. Therefore, the fixed portion (radially outer end) 45 of the sheet 43 is pressed against the annular groove 23 of the outer ring 11 by the elasticity of the second portion 42b of the rubber member 42 supported by the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41, ensuring reliable contact with the annular groove 23.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the third portion 42c of the rubber member 42 extends radially inward from the radially inner end of the first portion 42a of the rubber member 42. The third portion 42c is provided along the side surface of the sliding portion 46 of the sheet 43 on the first axial side, with a substantially constant thickness. The third portion 42c is formed into a circular ring shape perpendicular to the axial direction. The radially inner end 46a of the sliding portion 46 of the sheet 43 contacts the sliding member abutment surface 33 and bends, thereby elastically deforming and bending the third portion 42c of the rubber member 42 along with the sliding portion 46 toward the first axial side.

[0060] The fourth portion 42d of the rubber member 42 extends from the radially outer end of the third portion 42c over the radially inner end of the metal ring 41 and is disposed on the side surface on the first axial side of the metal ring 41. Therefore, the fourth portion 42d has a generally L-shaped cross-section, covering and adhering to the radially inner end surface and the side surface on the second axial side of the annular portion 41a. The fourth portion 42d of the rubber member 42 helps securely bond the rubber member 42 to the metal ring 41, preventing the rubber member 42 from peeling off from the metal ring 41.

[0061] The rubber member 42 has higher rigidity than the sheet 43 , so the shape of the sheet 43 is maintained by the rubber member 42 . In addition, the shape of the middle portion 44 of the sheet 43 is also maintained by the metal ring 41 .

[0062] The sheet 43 is formed of a non-woven fabric or a woven fabric formed of conductive fibers. The sheet 43 contains voids in its internal state before the manufacture of the sliding member 15. After the manufacture of the sliding member 15, the rubber part 42 also exists in the voids of the sheet 43. As described later, the sliding member 15 is manufactured by vulcanizing and molding the rubber material constituting the rubber part 42 into a predetermined shape while the metal ring 41 and the sheet 43 are embedded in a mold, and bonding the rubber material to the metal ring 41 and the sheet 43. Hereinafter, this manufacturing process will also be referred to as "vulcanization bonding". During this vulcanization bonding, the rubber part 42 enters the voids of the sheet 43. During the vulcanization bonding, the rubber part 42 is easily bonded to the adhesive.

[0063] The fixed portion 45 of the sheet 43 is exposed on the surface of the sliding member 15 and contacts the annular groove 23 of the outer ring 11. Furthermore, the sliding portion 46 of the sheet 43 is exposed on the surface of the sliding member 15 and contacts the sliding member contact surface 33 of the inner ring 12. The multiple conductive fibers that comprise the sheet 43 are in contact with each other, and thus the sheet 43 becomes conductive from the fixed portion 45 to the sliding portion 46 due to the contact between the conductive fibers. The sheet 43 is in contact with the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12, electrically connecting the two rings 11 and 12 via the sheet 43. Furthermore, the conductive metal ring 41 and rubber member 42 are in contact with the sheet 43. In addition to the sheet 43, the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 are electrically connected via the conductive metal ring 41 and rubber member 42.

[0064] Therefore, the sliding member 15 of this embodiment can release electric charge from one of the fixed portion 45 and the sliding portion 46 to the other. Furthermore, the sliding member 15 of this embodiment can release electric charge from one of the member that fixes the fixed portion 45 and the member on which the sliding portion 46 slides to the other. The rolling bearing 10 of this embodiment can release electric charge from one of the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12 to the other via the sliding member 15, thereby suppressing electrolytic corrosion of the balls 13 and the outer ring raceways 21 and inner ring raceways 31 on which the balls 13 roll.

[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, the sheet 43 is positioned on the second axial side (the bearing internal space K1 side) of the sliding member 15. Meanwhile, the sliding member contact surface 33 formed on the inner ring 12 faces the first axial side (the bearing external space K2 side). This facilitates contact between the sliding portion 46 of the sheet 43 and the sliding member contact surface 33. However, if the sliding member contact surface 33 faces the second axial side, the sliding member 15 can also be formed with the sheet 43 positioned on the first axial side of the sliding member 15.

[0066] [Method for manufacturing a sliding member]

[0067] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a molding die for a sliding member.

[0068] The sliding member 15 is manufactured by compression molding (press molding) using a mold. The molding mold 50 for the sliding member 15 includes an upper mold 51 and a lower mold 52. The upper mold 51 includes a cavity 51a. The lower mold 52 includes cavities 52a and 52b. Cavity 52b is formed by being further hollowed out from the bottom surface of cavity 52a.

[0069] The metal ring 41 is coated with an adhesive on its surface. For example, the metal ring 41 is coated with the adhesive by being immersed in the adhesive.

[0070] The metal ring 41 , the sheet 43 , and the unvulcanized rubber material G are arranged between the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52 in a state where the mold 50 is opened and the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52 are separated.

[0071] The cavity 51a of the upper mold 51 is formed Figure 2 The second portion 42b and a portion of the first portion 42a of the rubber member 42 are shown (around the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41). The second portion 44b and the fixing portion 45 of the middle portion 44 of the sheet 43 enter the cavity 51a, and the sheet 43 is formed into a shape that follows the inner surface of the cavity 51a.

[0072] The cavity 52a of the lower mold 52 is formed Figure 2 A portion of the first portion 42a (excluding the portion around the cylindrical portion 41b of the metal ring 41) and a third portion 42c of the rubber member 42 are shown. A portion of the first portion 44a and the sliding portion 46 of the intermediate portion 44 of the sheet 43 are inserted into the cavity 52a and formed into a flat shape along the lower surface 51b of the upper mold 51 (see FIG. Figure 5 ). The cavity 52b of the lower mold 52 is formed Figure 2 The fourth portion 42 d of the rubber member 42 is shown.

[0073] The sliding member 15 is manufactured by closing the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52, and then pressurizing and heating them while the metal ring 41, the sheet 43, and the unvulcanized rubber material G are arranged between the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52. The pressurized unvulcanized rubber material G flows within the mold. The unvulcanized rubber material G is filled into the cavities 51a, 52a, and 52b of the upper mold 51 and the lower mold 52. In addition, the unvulcanized rubber material G also enters the gaps in the sheet 43. By heating in this state, the adhesive cures, and the unvulcanized rubber material G becomes the rubber part 42. The adhesive cures, and the unvulcanized rubber material G becomes the vulcanized rubber part 42, thereby integrating the metal ring 41, the sheet 43, and the rubber part 42. The integrated parts are then cut away from unnecessary parts to form the sliding member 15.

[0074] By impregnating the sheet 43 with the unvulcanized rubber material G and vulcanizing it in this manner, the rigidity of the sheet 43 is increased, and the sheet 43 and the rubber member 42 are integrated.

[0075] [Other embodiments]

[0076] In the rolling bearing 10 of the above embodiment, the outer ring 11 is a fixed ring and the inner ring 12 is a rotating ring. However, the present invention may also be a case where the outer ring 11 is a rotating ring and the inner ring 12 is a fixed ring.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the sliding member 15 is fixed to the outer ring 11 as the first member and slidably contacts the inner ring 12 as the second member. However, the present invention may also be fixed to the inner ring 12 as the first member and slidably contacts the outer ring 11 as the second member.

[0078] The sliding member 15 of the above embodiment has a synthetic resin as a binder fixed to the conductive fibers constituting the sheet 43. On the other hand, the sheet of the present invention may not have a synthetic resin as a binder in the conductive fibers constituting the sheet.

[0079] The sliding member 15 of the above embodiment is used in the rolling bearing 10. However, the sliding member 15 of the present invention may be used in any device that is fixed to one of two members that move relatively and is in slidable contact with the other member.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the rolling bearing 10 is described as a deep groove ball bearing. However, in the present invention, the rolling bearing 10 may be an angular contact ball bearing or a roller bearing whose rolling elements are rollers.

[0081] The above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications within the scope of equivalence to the structures described in the claims.

[0082] Label Description

[0083] 10: Rolling bearings

[0084] 11: Outer ring

[0085] 12: Inner circle

[0086] 13: Rolling element

[0087] 15: Sliding component

[0088] 21: Outer ring raceway

[0089] 31: Inner ring raceway

[0090] 41: Metal ring

[0091] 42: Rubber parts

[0092] 42a: Part 1

[0093] 42b: Part 2

[0094] 42c: Part 3

[0095] 42d: Part 4

[0096] 43: Sheet

[0097] 44: Middle

[0098] 45: Fixed part

[0099] 46: Sliding part

Claims

1. A sliding member comprising: The sheet material is a non-woven fabric or woven fabric formed of conductive fibers; Metal ring; as well as Rubber parts, The sheet material integrally comprises: a fixing portion fixed on a first side in a radial direction of the metal ring in contact with a first member made of a steel material; a sliding portion slidably contacting the second member made of steel on the second side in the radial direction; as well as The middle portion is located between the fixed portion and the sliding portion, The metal ring is arranged at a distance from the sheet at a first side in the axial direction. The rubber member has a first portion disposed in the gap.

2. The sliding member according to claim 1, wherein The rubber member further includes: a second portion disposed on a first side in the radial direction relative to the first portion; and a third portion disposed on a second side in the radial direction relative to the first portion. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are bonded to the entire first side of the sheet in the axial direction.

3. The sliding member according to claim 2, wherein The rubber member includes a fourth portion that extends beyond the radial end portion of the metal ring and is disposed on a first side in the axial direction relative to the metal ring.

4. A rolling bearing comprising: An inner ring having an inner ring raceway; An outer ring having an outer ring raceway, the outer ring raceway being arranged radially outward of the inner ring raceway; a plurality of rolling elements rotatably disposed between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway; and The sliding member according to claim 1 or 2 is arranged between the axial end of the inner ring and the axial end of the outer ring in the radial direction, One of the inner ring and the outer ring is the first member, The other of the inner ring and the outer ring is the second member.

5. The rolling bearing according to claim 4, wherein: In the axial direction, the sheet of the sliding member is arranged closer to the rolling element than the metal ring and the rubber member.

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